Bonura leads new Plum Hall of Fame class
Tony Bonura went from midget league star to standout varsity quarterback to NCAA All-American javelin thrower as the century changed.
This fall, Bonura will become one of eight new inductees into the Plum Sports Hall of Fame.
The seventh induction banquet will be Nov. 10 at the Edgewood Country Club.
Bonura, a 2001 Plum graduate, played three years as a varsity starter for the Mustangs and also was a WPIAL qualifier in wrestling. He still has the school's javelin mark at 203.4 feet.
In college, Bonura was a two-time NCAA All-American at Pitt in the javelin and was a two-time Big East champion in the event.
The other inductees, with their graduation year in parentheses, include:
Geoff Alexander (1981): Alexander was Plum's first WPIAL wrestling champion and rushed for more than 3,000 yards. He led the PSAC in rushing while at Clarion University. Alexander owns a chain of five fitness centers in the Pittsburgh region, including one in Harmar.
David Pucka (1998): The school's all-time leader in rushing and touchdowns, Pucka helped lead the Mustangs to three straight WPIAL playoff appearances. He captained the football team at Duquesne University and was all-conference twice with the Dukes.
Jim Ryan (1952): An all-Allegheny Valley Conference lineman in 1950 and '51, Ryan also played football at the University of Maryland. He placed second in the WPIAL shot put, was an outstanding baseball player and served as an assistant football coach for Plum and other schools.
John Schmeck (1975): An all-Keystone Conference quarterback, Schmeck helped bring Plum football out of mediocrity with his stellar play. He also garnered Player of the Year honors with the Keystone Conference.
Amy Williams Scheuneman (1999): After earning 14 varsity letters at Plum, Williams Scheuneman collected eight letters at Robert Morris in soccer and track. Soon after her graduation, she became one of the WPIAL's youngest athletic directors at Avonworth and has since moved on to Bethel Park.
Bob Wolford (1987): A three-sport standout, Wolford later captained the University of Delaware football team. Today, Wolford is a highly-regarded scholastic football coach in Delaware.
Marilyn Bott (coaching and builder, 1965-2001): With a career that spanned five decades with the Mustangs, Bott coached girls track and tennis and was influential in the development of female varsity sports at Plum.
Dinner is scheduled for 7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar. Tickets are $40 for individuals, $320 for a table, with checks payable to Plum High School Sports Hall of Fame. Payment can be mailed to Plum High School Sports Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 114006, Pittsburgh, PA 15239. Be sure to include a return address.
Worth the weight
The Kiski Area Cavaliers Football Alumni Association will dedicate new weight room improvements at 6 p.m. Friday.
The association will present its annual scholarship, newly-named after former Cavaliers all-staters Jim 'Dude" Henderson and Mike Milito.
Weight room improvements done through a generous donation from the Henderson estate also will be acknowledged. Alumni and fans are also welcome to come out and meet coach Troy Wilson and the 2011 Cavaliers.
The upcoming season will mark the 50th year of Kiski Area football.
